Saturday Preview: Vanarama National League

By David Richardson

August's fixtures are over and now we head into match day eight with a host of exciting National League action to come in September!

League leaders Sutton United host Alan Devonshire's Maidenhead United. It's been a wonderful start for the U's, who sit two points clear at the top. Their visitors have also enjoyed a very solid start to their first ever National League campaign having won two and drawn three from their first seven games.

AFC Fylde, another newcomer, have settled well and when playing in front of the BT Sport cameras for the first time last week, beat Barrow 1-0. Fylde travel to the team that came up with them from the National League North, FC Halifax Town.

Unbeaten Dagenham and Redbridge will seek revenge against their opponents Gateshead, who beat the Daggers 5-0 in this fixture last season.

Third-placed Leyton Orient have won two of their last three games, drawing the other, and they'll hope to extend that run against managerless Guiseley. The Lions parted ways with manager Adam Lockwood on Wednesday. They have just five points on the board.

Hartlepool United picked up their first National League victory with a win at Guiseley last Saturday. Now they head to Maidstone United, who are unbeaten in their last four games and have nine points.

Dean Keates' Wrexham have started to find their feet, winning three of their last four with a scoreline of 1-0. This run has propelled them up to fourth, passing Saturday's opponents Bromley. The Ravens had started well but have lost their last two games.

Torquay United sit rock bottom of the National League and suffered a 4-1 thumping at Woking last week. Lowly Chester are the visitors to the Gulls while Anthony Limbrick's Cards head to Macclesfield Town.

Barrow added former Grimsby Town and Solihull Moors manager Marcus Bignot to assist interim manager Micky Moore, following Paul Cox's resignation. They take on a Boreham Wood side that have collected 11 points thus far.

Injury-hit Aldershot Town host struggling Solihull Moors, who lost at home to Tranmere Rovers last Saturday. Chris Kinnear's Dover Athletic take on Rovers live on BT Sport at Prenton Park with a later kick-off time of 5.30pm.

Ebbsfleet United are the only other side still unbeaten, although have drawn six of their seven games. Their opponents Eastleigh have lost just once.

Saturday's fixtures - 3pm kick-off:
Dagenham and Redbridge v Gateshead
Hartlepool United v Maidstone United
Leyton Orient v Guiseley
Sutton United v Maidenhead United
Aldershot Town v Solihull Moors
FC Halifax Town v AFC Fylde
Ebbs fleet United v Eastleigh
Macclesfield Town v Woking
Torquay United v Chester
Wrexham v Bromley
Barrow v Boreham Wood

LIVE on BT Sport - 5.30pm kick-off:
Tranmere Rovers v Dover Athletic

Where next?

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